BMW decided to take a huge step this year, following in the footsteps of its main rival, Mercedes-Benz, and finally launching a front-wheel-drive model in the shape of the 2 Series Active Tourer.
Needless to say that pitches were lit and forks raised among BMW forums around the world when word about this move reached their ears and everyone hoped that it wouldn’t see the light of day. Well, unfortunately for them it did.
The 2 Series Active Tourer was introduced earlier this year, at the Geneva Motor Show, presenting a new concept to the world. The Germans want to cover every possible segment and niche and the new MPV would do just that in a segment dominated by the B-Class from Mercedes.
According to the Munichers, the car is aiming at new customers to the BMW brands, the ones that wanted to drive a car with the blue and white roundel on the bonnet but didn’t find any of their offerings fitting. In a shell: it’s aiming at soccer moms.
The FWD design uses the UKL platform, just like the new MINI Cooper range and other upcoming models in both BMW and MINI ranges. As for the engines, they too are shared in between different models and brands.
First models will be using 1.5-liter 3-cylinder and 2-liter 4-cylinder B-family units making between 136 HP and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque on the 216i model and 231 HP and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque on the range-topping 225i.
That’s also the fastest model of the line-up at the moment, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds when fitted with an 8-speed ZF gearbox. Fuel consumption for this model is rated at 39.2 mpg (6 l/100 km).
However, those specs won’t amaze the people this car is aiming for. The trick lies inside, where the interior and the design is trying to offer never-before seen commodities and practicality for a BMW. Being the first MPV in the brand’s history, that was only expected.
The car is aiming at being the perfect partner for daily commutes and even trips, for active people and their families. In that regard, plenty of tricks were used, the 2 Series Active Tourer being fitted with sliding, 40:20:40 rear seats, plenty of storage places, a tall roof for headroom and the first fresh dash in ages.
The guys from What Car had the new car in their garage and had some customers over to ask them what they think about it. Surprisingly, a lot of them showed plenty of love for the first FWD BMW, some of them even saying that they’ve been expecting it for quite some time now.
Most people loved the practicality and the fact that they no longer have to bang their heads up against the roof when they’re attending their children, in the back, an issue that is prevalent with sleeker models.
One common complaint was that the cupholders were placed rather weird. Oh, well, you can’t get everything right, now can you?
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